So, while I liked the little Canon very much, was very pleased with its IQ, and found it inexpensive for what it gives, I think the P300 was the right choice looking for something else in control or that plus in the bright lens.

the lens of p300 is also sharper in the edges, or at least not as soft as the elph/ixus

noise reduction is surely stronger in p300 compared to the elph (at 100%view) but i think the iq is similar at normal/monitor/fit to screen view!